Delontay Scott, Felon with Firearm, Meridian MS, 2023

MERIDIAN, MS – Delontay Preston Scott, 31, of Meridian, Mississippi is headed to federal prison for more than three years after being caught with a firearm despite a lengthy criminal record, the Department of Justice announced Friday. Scott’s case highlights the continued flow of illegal weapons into the hands of those already deemed dangerous by the courts.

On December 30, 2021, agents with the East Mississippi Drug Task Force pulled Scott over in a routine traffic stop. That stop quickly turned up more than just a traffic violation; Scott was found to be in possession of a firearm. What made this a federal offense? A quick check revealed Scott wasn’t just some average citizen – he’s a convicted felon, with prior convictions for Armed Robbery and Burglary of a Dwelling.

Federal law is clear: a person convicted of a felony is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Scott was, in fact, under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections at the time he was caught with the weapon. This wasn’t a first offense regarding brushes with the law, and the feds weren’t inclined to look the other way.

U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), jointly announced Scott’s sentencing. Scott received 41 months – over three years – in federal prison. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF, demonstrating a concerted push to keep weapons out of the hands of those with violent pasts.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam T. Stuart and Charles W. Kirkham secured the conviction and sentencing. The case wasn’t pursued in isolation, but as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. The PSN program aims to address the root causes of crime and provide opportunities for rehabilitation, though in Scott’s case, the focus remained squarely on incapacitation.

While the PSN program touts comprehensive solutions, the reality on the streets of Meridian – and countless other cities across the country – is often a cycle of crime and punishment. Scott’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon carries serious consequences, and federal agencies are actively working to enforce those laws. The question remains, however, if simply locking up offenders is a sustainable solution to the underlying issues driving violence.

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